Last-Minute LA & OC Adventure: Beaches, Disneyland, and Unexpected Fun
So, you woke up one morning and thought, “Why not just go to LA this week?” Welcome to last-minute travel at its finest, chaotic, sunny, and powered by too much caffeine and late night packing. Here’s how our whirlwind trip to Los Angeles and Orange County went down, with plenty of notes for anyone crazy (er, brave) enough to do the same.
Day 1: Manhattan Beach, Ice Cream, and Accidental TV Fame
We landed at LAX bright and early and grabbed our rental car. Destination: Manhattan Beach. If you don’t start your vacation with pancakes bigger than your face, are you even on vacation?
We hit up Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, where the food was so good it made up for the service speed (somewhere between “leisurely” and “we live here now”).
After brunch-lunch, we hit the beach. Clean sand, clear water, and, miracle of miracles, nearby parking.
And apparently, random news interviews are a thing. My husband somehow got caught on camera talking about a upcoming heatwave he didn’t even know existed. His new career as an accidental meteorologist begins now.
Manhattan Beach, close to LAX but less crowds than others nearby
After some ice cream, we drove to Anaheim and checked into Hyatt Place Anaheim. Free suite upgrade? Yes, please. King bed, bunk beds, sitting area, and a door separating adults from kid chaos? Priceless. Plus, the hotel had mini Lego packs, snacks, and four water bottles waiting for us, perks of using a travel agent (aka me).
Evening plans: We did Downtown Disney exploration, short 4 minute drive from our hotel (or 15 minute walk). We had dinner at Din Tai Fung (reserve ahead, trust me). Highlights: honey lemonade, bubble tea (bubbles optional), and Xiao Long Bao that could make anyone forget about dessert.
Downtown Disney has plenty of fun shops, restaurants, and places for sweet treats
Day 2: Disneyland – Fantasy, Adventure, and the Occasional Ride Glitch
Disneyland is….magical but intense. We got there early (7:45 a.m. waiting at the entrance to fantasy land, 8:00 a.m. through the castle) to maximize our day. By the end of 12 hours, we had ridden 19 rides (three of them twice), spanning Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Toon Town, New Orleans Square, and Galaxy’s Edge.
Favorite rides:
Husband: Mr. Toad’s (nostalgia alert!)
Me: Space Mountain, Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean
Oldest: Indiana Jones and Matterhorn
Youngest: Autopia, with repeat trips on Alice and Teacups
Pro tips:
Bring patience, especially when rides like Rise of the Resistance is down multiple times (a true parent initiation ritual).
Leave before Fantasmic fireworks unless you enjoy sardine-style bus rides.
Free shuttles make getting around easier, but expect walking in the sun to feel like a mini-marathon.
Disneyland felt more walkable than the parks ate Disney World, and the food and merch options were way better. Plus, the dark rides were well-maintained and smell-free (IYKYK).
Sunset Vibes at Disneyland
Day 3: Laguna Beach, Sun, Tide Pools, and Parenting Reality
Time to relax! Laguna Beach was our pick. Main Beach is the hub with restaurants, shops, and plenty of parking so we headed there. Had lunch to-go from Board & Brew. Delicious and surprisingly affordable.
Parenting reality check: kids get overstimulated, sand gets everywhere, and sometimes dragging a small human out of the beach is just part of the adventure. We tried Aliso Beach for tide pools, but the tide was too high. Big waves, skimboarders, and kids running like wild sea creatures made it worth it. Ice cream and french fries at the beach = parenting win.
For dinner we ate at Puesto near Disneyland, 5 minutes drive from hotel. Margaritas hit the spot, tacos were okay, but that churro ice cream sundae? Peak vacation energy achieved.
Aliso Beach, perfect for Skimboarding
Day 4: Science Center, Santa Monica, and Food Hall Fun
Heatwave rule #1: find air conditioning or perish, so we checked out of Hyatt Place Anaheim and headed to the California Science Center for hands-on fun and blessed AC. Pizza for the kids, street dogs for dad, and plenty of educational fun. Note: The Endeavour space shuttle is off display, until the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public. Hopefully in 2026.
Outside the Science Center entrance, the hot walk to the door was burtal
Later, we hit Santa Monica Pier for ice cream ($17 for one sundae, never again) and the classic pier sights. We wrapped up at The Proud Bird food hall near LAX. Outdoor play area, chicken tenders, BBQ platter, and the comedy of my husband discovering agua fresca for the first time (“It’s just… water but fancy?”). A perfect last-night laugh.
The Santa Monica Pier, good for people watching and a one time visit
For our last night, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency LAX, the perfect “sleep and fly” hotel. Shuttle is continuous but small, so plan accordingly for early flights and over packers.
Takeaways From Our Whirlwind Trip
Disneyland in Anaheim = smaller crowds, more walkable, food and merch on point and nostalgia levels off the charts.
Beaches are gorgeous, but tide schedules and rip currents are real, check before you chase starfish.
Last-minute trips? Totally doable, but easier with a pro.
Air conditioning deserves more respect. Science centers and hotel pools are your best heatwave friends.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, I want a trip like that,” that’s where a travel agent (like me) comes in. I can snag those last-minute hotel upgrades, secure reservations, plan the right park strategy, and find the best food spots for your crew. Most importantly, I can adjust when things change, because vacations should be fun, not frantic.
